Invista's parent company to donate $1 million for disaster relief

By FROM NEWS RELEASE
March 24, 2011 at 5:01 p.m.Updated March 23, 2011 at 10:24 p.m.

Koch Industries Inc., Invista's parent company, will donate $1 million for disaster relief efforts in the wake of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The company will donate $500,000 to the American Red Cross and $500,000 to the Salvation Army, according to an Invista news release.

Koch Industries has a small presence in Japan, with just 75 employees, but the move is an important humanitarian effort, Dave Robertson, the company's president and COO, said in the release.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Japan as they deal with overwhelming and unfolding challenges," he said. "We hope these funds will help the Japanese people as they set out on the path to recovery."

Invista has offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with 36 employees in the fiber, chemical intermediates and polymer markets throughout Asia. The company also takes part in a fiber-production venture in Shiga.

"We are very thankful that our colleagues in Japan are safe and accounted for," said Steve Harvill, site manager for Invista's Victoria site.

In addition to the financial donation, Georgia-Pacific LLC - another Koch company - will donate its bath tissue and paper towels, as well as Dixie brand plates, cups and tableware, to the relief effort through organizations such as Convoy of Hope and Feed The Children.